Chandelier shade



Sept. 7, 1937. R, oss 2,092,207

CHANDELIER SHADE Filed Sept. 18, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l fig/-l I I I IINVENTOR LEON/QED 2 F055.

BY 6%aq/(Zm Sept. 7, 1937.. L. R FOSS CHANDELIER SHADE Filed Sept. 18,1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 m rmn INVENTOR LEON/QED 2- F055. BY M HA5 ATTORNEYPatented Sept. 7, 15937 STATES PATENT FFHCE 8 Claims.

My invention relates to shades; and more particularly to shades forpendant fixtures, such as chandeliers.

It is among the objects of my invention to provide a shade forconverting an ordinary chandelier into a semi-indirect lighting fixture.

Another object of my invention is to provide a shade of the characterdescribed which may be quickly and easily attached to a chandelier.

Still another object is to provide a shade which not only improves thelighting, but which also converts an old-fashioned fixture into one ofmodern appearance.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some ofwhich, with the fore going, will be set forth in the followingdescription of my invention. It is to be understood that I do not limitmyself to this disclosure of species of my invention, as I may adoptvariant embodiments thereof within the scope of the claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional View showing a half portion of a shadeembodying my invention. The chandelier on which the shade is mounted isshown in outline by dotted lines.

Figure 2 is a detail sectional view showing the reinforcement at thebottom of the shade.

Figure 3 is a detail sectional view through the bottom wall, showingfeatures of adjustment.

Figure 4 is another detail sectional view showing the reinforcement atthe top of the shade.

Figure 5 is a perspective view, partly in section, showing a. modifiedform of construction, particularly adapted for two-globe chandeliers.

In terms of broad inclusion, the chandelier shade embodying my inventionis designed for converting an ordinary chandelier having exposed lampsinto a semi-indirect lighting fixture. The shade is of open topconstruction, and comprises a side wall encircling the chandelier, and abottom wall extending across the chandelier beneath the lamps. Aflexible translucent material, such as parchment, is preferably used forthe shade walls. A frame is provided for the shade, and a hanger frameis also provided to which the shade frame is connected. Means adjustableto fit different sizes and shapes of chandeliers is provided on thehanger frame for detachably mounting the shade on the chandelier; andmeans are also provided for adjustably separating the frames to alterthe position of the shade relative to the chandelier.

Such a shade is easily mounted on an ordinary chandelier, and the lightis partly transmitted through the shade walls, and partially reflectedto the ceiling through the open top of the shade; giving the desiredsemi-indirect lighting effect.

In greater detail, and referring particularly to Figures 1, 2 and 4 ofthe drawings, the preferred form of chandelier shade embodying myinvention comprises a flared, annular side wall 2 encircling achandelier 3 and its lamps 4. The bottom of the shade is closed by awall 5, which extends across the chandelier beneath the lamps 4. Thefixture shown is a common design, having radially extending armscarrying a plurality of depending lamps 4. It is understood however thatthe particular type of chandelier shown is merely for purposes ofillustration; and it is also understood that the shade may be made inany size or shape, depending upon the type of chandelier with which itis to be used. With such a shade the light is partially reflected to theceiling through the open top of the shade, giving the desiredsemi-indirect lighting effect. Another important feature of my shade isthat it hides the old chandelier, and therefore may be used forconverting an old-fashioned fixture into one of modern appearance.

The walls of the shade are preferably made of a flexible translucentmaterial, such as vellum, parchment, or any other tough translucentmaterial; and the walls may be tinted in any color and may carry anydesirable design. For the best lighting effects, a white tramlucentmaterial is used for the bottom wall 6, while a tinted material ispreferably used for the side wall. A White bottom wall passesconsiderable light, and together with the light which filters throughthe tinted side wall and that which is reflected through the top of theshade, gives a very good distribution of light. The use of a material,such as parchment, in this type of shade is especially desirable becauseof its toughness and light weight, which makes the problem of suspendingthe shade an easy one, and results in a fixture which is exceedinglydurable.

Means are provided for reinforcing the walls of the shade. As best shownin Figure 4, the upper edge of the side wall is reinforced by a wirering 1 positioned about the inner periphery of the wall. The parchmentis secured to the ring by a binding of tape 8, adhesively united to thewall and ring. After the tape has been applied, a fillet 9 of suitablecement, such as pyroxylin, is provided in the corner between the walland ring. This results in a smooth joint of good appearance. The tape 8may be of any suitable color, selected to harmonize with the coloring ofcentral hub 83 are provided for hanging or susthe shade wall, and theborder thus provided gives a finished appearance to the shade. As shownin Figure 2, a similar reinforcing ring H is provided along the bottomedge of the side wall 2; the binding for the ring comprising a tape 62similar to that described for the upper ring.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a frame is provided for the shade, andcomprises a ring l3 disposed about the peripheral edge of the bottomwall 6. This ring of the shade frame rests on the lower reinforcing ringI I of the side wall, with the edge of the bottom wall caught betweenthe rings. In assembling this part of the structure the bottom wall 6 ispreferably first adhesively united to the ring it by a suitable cement il, and then the wall and ring are lowered together into the shade untilthey come to rest on the bottom ring II. Additional cement i6 is thenpoured into the corner to fill up the space between the rings to bondthese elements together. The joint thus formed is inconspicuous, whileat the same time is light and strong, and is readily made.

The shade frame also comprises a plurality of struts I? extendingradially inwardly from the outer ring 13, and are connected at theirinner ends to a center plate or hub l8 immediately overlying the bottomwall 6. This hub provides the mounting connection for the shade, and itscentral location at the bottom of the shade gives opportunity toposition the shade closely adjacent chandelier and without exposing themounting means. A plurality, say three, of the struts I! are provided,so that the shade is rigidly connected to the central hub "3. Thesestruts not only provide a supporting connection between the hub l8 andthe outer rings II and 13, but they also function to brace the latterand give rigidity to the structure.

Another function of the shade frame is to give additional support to thebottom wall 6. As shown in Figure l, a supporting connection between thehub 8 and bottom wall 6 is provided by a hollow stud l9 extendingthrough the hub and wall, and having a decorative knob 2| threaded onitslower end to clamp the wall and hub against a nut 22 threaded on theupper portions of the stud. This central support is especially desirablein a shade having walls of flexible material, because it prevents thehorizontal bottom wall from sagging.

An important feature of the shade frame construction is that the radialstruts I! are arched above the bottom wall, so that the upper portionsof the arms lie adjacent the lamps 4. This arrangement prevents thestruts from casting shadows on the bottom wall. In a chandelier shade,where the bottom wall is always in position to be noticed, it is verydesirable toavoid the casting of unsightly shadows upon it; and for thisreason the spacing of the struts i! above the bottom wall in my shade isespecially important.

Means connected with the shade frame at its pending the shade from thechandelier 3. For this purpose a hanger frame is arranged within theshade, and preferably comprises an upper hanger ring 23 and a centralbracket ring 26 connected by a suspender arm 24. A plurality, say three,of the suspender arms are preferably provided. This hanger frame isfastened to the hub of the underlying shade frame by the stud l9,

'which also passes through the bracket ring 216 so that the latter isheld between the nut 22 and a flange 2? provided at the top of the stud.

The upper ring 23 of the hanger frame overlies the arched portions ofthe radial struts ll, so that this ring is also positioned adjacent thelamps 4; and, in order to position the bracket ring 26 adjacent the hubE8, the radial suspender arms 24 of the hanger frame are bentdownwardly, as shown in Figure 1.

Means are provided on the hanger frame for mounting the shade on thechandelier. This preferably comprises a plurality of spring clips 28,each comprising a pair of resiliently connected C-shaped fingers adaptedto spread apart for engaging a lamp. These clips are secured to thehanger ring 23 by a hook or eye 29 formed at one end of the fingers.

By reason of their shape and slidable pivot connection on the hangerring, the lamp clips are capable of considerable movement, and maytherefore be shifted or adjusted to accommodate the particular spacingor arrangement of the lamps in a chandelier. By unhooking the clips andturning them around so that they face inwardly, instead of outwardly asshown in Figure l, the range of adjustment is increased.

Such adjustment is very important in my shade, because of the manydifferences found in the shape and design of chandeliers. Unless a shadeis capable of adjusting itself to these differences, a special shadewould have to be made for each type of chandelier. The latter procedurewould of course add materially to the costs of manufacture. These costsare avoided with my improved construction since the shades are all madein the same way.

Figure 3 shows an attachment for hanging the shade at variable distancesbelow the bracket ring 26. For this purpose a threaded spindle 3! isprovided to extend through the stud l9; the

latter being adjustably held on the spindle by a pair of wing nuts 32.The lower end of the spindle is threaded into a second flanged stud 33extending through the hub l8 and receiving the knob 2|. By thisarrangement the shade frame and hanger frame may be adjusted relative tothe amount of their separation to raise or lower the shade with respectto the chandelier. This adjustment further assists in adapting the shadeto different types of chandeliers.

A variant form of shade, particularly designed for two-globechandeliers, is shown in Figure 5.

In this case, the upstanding side wall 2 is elongated, and thehorizontal bottom'wall 6 is shaped accordingly. Reinforcing rings 1 andII are provided for the walls, and are fastened 1n a manner similar tothat described in the first construction. Since these elements aresimilar to those in Figure 1, the difierences going only to the matterof shape, the same reference char acters are employed.

In the elongated type of shade, the central hub I8 of the shade frame isconnected to the outer ring i3 by a pair of struts M extending acrossthe narrow width of the ring 33 and arched above the bottom. wall toprevent shadows. From struts 4! a second pair of arms or struts 42converge downwardly to the centrally positioned" hub l8 overlying thebottom wall 6. The bottom wall is supportably connected to the hub l8 bya stud l9 and knob 2!, in a manner similar to the fastening of the firstdescribed construce tion.

this ring. 'Theare the same as in the first described construction,except that in this case hooks 29 are provided at each end for engagingthe sides of the elongated hanger ring 23. By sliding these clips alongthe ring 23, the clips may be adjusted to the spacing of the globes inthe chandelier.

In both of the shade constructions the wire for the frames is preferablycomparatively stiff to give rigidity to the structure, and joints arepreferably welded.

I claim:

1. A chandelier shade comprising a side wall, a bottom wall, asupporting ring for said walls, a hub disposed centrally of the shade,radial struts connecting the ring to said hub, a hanger frame above andseparate from said hub and shade supporting ring, means connecting thehub to the frame, and means mounted on the hanger frame for mounting theshade on the chandelier.

2. A chandelier shade comprising a side wall, a bottom wall, asupporting ring for said walls, a hub disposed centrally of the shade,radial struts arched above the bottom wall for connecting the ring tosaid hub, a hanger frame above the hub, means connecting the hub to theframe, and means on the hanger frame for mounting the shade on thechandelier.

3. A chandelier shade comprising a side wall, a bottom wall, asupporting ring for said walls, a hub disposed centrally of the shade,radial struts connecting the ring to said hub, a hanger frame above thehub, means connecting the central portions of the bottom wall to the huband for connecting the hub to the hanger frame, and means on the hangerframe for mounting the shade on the chandelier.

4. A chandelier shade comprising a side wall, a bottom wall, asupporting ring for said Walls, a hubdisposed centrally of the shade,radial struts connecting the ring to said hub, a bracket ring overlyingthe hub, a hanger ring spaced above the bracket ring, suspender armsconnecting the bracket ring to the hanger ring, means connecting the huband bracket ring together, and means on the hanger ring for mounting theshade on the chandelier.

5. A chandelier shade comprising a frame for the shade, a hub connectedto the shade frame and disposed adjacent the lower central portions ofsaid shade, a hanger frame Within the shade and comprising a pluralityof suspender arms radiating upwardly and outwardly from said hub, andmeans on the hanger frame for mounting the shade on the chandelier.

6. A chandelier shade comprising a frame for the shade, a hub connectedto the shade frame and disposed adjacent the lower central portions ofsaid shade, a hanger frame within the shade and comprising a pluralityof suspender arms radiating upwardly and outwardly from said hub, and aplurality of lamp clips on the hanger frame for mounting the shade onthe chandelier.

7. A chandelier shade comprising a side wall, a bottom wall, a frame forthe shade walls, a hub connected to the shade frame and disposedcentrally of the bottom Wall, a hanger frame within the shade andcomprising a ring, a plurality of suspender arms radiating from said hubfor supporting said ring, and means on the ring for mounting the shadeon the chandelier.

8. A chandelier shade comprising a frame for the shade, a hub connectedto the shade frame and disposed adjacent the lower central portions ofsaid shade, a hanger frame within the shade, means on the hanger framefor mounting the shade on the chandelier, and an adjustable spindledepending from the hanger frame and fastened to said hub.

LEONARD R. FOSS.

